Narrative:

About two and a half hours into a routine ETOPS flight; during a crew bathroom break; we had a wheel well fire indication and bell warning. I notified [oceanic ATC] that we were offsetting 15 miles north of the airway (in case of emergency descent) and started slowing (to comply with the checklist) while the copilot came back to the cockpit. After his return; we [advised ATC] emergency and lowered the landing (as per procedure). I raised the gear after approximately two minutes (airspeed was beginning to drop off and I felt it was prudent to not descend at this time). After looking at all the information; we came to the conclusion that it was a false indication but continued cautiously. We set up a phone patch with maintenance; dispatch and operations and came to the same conclusion. We made contact with an [air carrier] flight that was 1000 feet below us; on the same track. He received ATC clearance to deviate 15 miles off track and visually check our wheel well area. When he got into position; we once again lowered our landing gear. He saw no damage. After further discussion with my copilot and phone patch; I decided that the best course of action was to continue to [a suitable alternate] because of the long runway. We lowered the gear passing 15000 feet and configured early. There were several fire bell warnings as the faulty system kept resetting itself. The approach and landing were uneventful. I taxied off at the end of the runway where the fire trucks inspected the aircraft and found no damage. I then continued to the gate.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reported they deviated to a suitable alternate after receiving a wheel well fire warning on an oceanic route. The fire warning was later determined to be false.

Narrative: About two and a half hours into a routine ETOPS flight; during a crew bathroom break; we had a wheel well fire indication and bell warning. I notified [Oceanic ATC] that we were offsetting 15 miles north of the airway (in case of emergency descent) and started slowing (to comply with the checklist) while the copilot came back to the cockpit. After his return; we [advised ATC] emergency and lowered the landing (as per procedure). I raised the gear after approximately two minutes (airspeed was beginning to drop off and I felt it was prudent to not descend at this time). After looking at all the information; we came to the conclusion that it was a false indication but continued cautiously. We set up a phone patch with maintenance; dispatch and operations and came to the same conclusion. We made contact with an [air carrier] flight that was 1000 feet below us; on the same track. He received ATC clearance to deviate 15 miles off track and visually check our wheel well area. When he got into position; we once again lowered our landing gear. He saw no damage. After further discussion with my copilot and phone patch; I decided that the best course of action was to continue to [a suitable alternate] because of the long runway. We lowered the gear passing 15000 feet and configured early. There were several fire bell warnings as the faulty system kept resetting itself. The approach and landing were uneventful. I taxied off at the end of the runway where the fire trucks inspected the aircraft and found no damage. I then continued to the gate.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.