B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 80; Flight Crew Total 7800; Flight Crew Type 300
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
We were at our cruise altitude of FL370. That's when we noticed little brown lights coming from where the glare shield meets the windshield.  As we were trying to determine what the problem was; a fire coming under the panel or where it was coming from. We started diverting and while the Captain was on the satcom that's when the windshield exploded and shattered. We decided to keep diverting because we did not know the structural integrity of the window.
A short time after leveling off at cruise; the first officer saw a light flickering on the left side of aircraft where the top of the instrument panel meets the windshield. We discussed the potential fire hazard and possibilities of where it was coming from. Initially we thought it might be coming from behind [the] instrument panel. It looked like three or four embers glowing; there was no arcing on windshield. Thinking it was a potential fire hazard; we decided to divert and called dispatch on satcom to coordinate and utilize their help to determine suitable airport for proximity and weather. During discussion with dispatcher; the left forward windshield shattered. Because we were not sure if there would be further complications such as pressurization problems or more damage; we continued divert. I turned off windshield heat on left side. The dispatcher sent a new release shortly after we started our diversion. During descent I transferred control of aircraft to the first officer since my view was obstructed. ATC asked if we needed further assistance and I let them know we did not at that time and that we were making a precautionary divert due to shattered windshield. Once windshield shattered; there was no further concern about potential fire hazard. The embers that were glowing disappeared. There was no smoke or fire indication.
B767-300 flight crew reported a failure of the Captain's windshield preceded by an apparent window heat malfunction. The crew diverted to the nearest suitable airport for landing.