Narrative:

The preflight; engine start; and taxi out were all normal. The takeoff was planned as flaps 15 bleeds off; max power takeoff. We were cleared for takeoff; the captain pushed the power up; and all engine indications were normal. At approximately 70 KTS; the fire warning bell sounded; accompanied by the red; fire warning lights on the glareshield. The captain immediately started closing the throttles and rejecting the takeoff. We guessed top speed to be just short of 80 KTS. The autobrake rejected takeoff function did not activate as our speed was so low. We cleared the runway and evaluated the cause of the warning. I can't remember now if we canceled the fire warning; or if it silenced itself; but we had no lights in any fire handle; or cargo compartment panel. We quickly tested all fire warning systems; and they tested normal; with no latent warning. Crash fire rescue equipment was called to evaluate the aircraft while the captain made a quick PA. With the absence of a fire indication; we evaluated brake energy while the fire and rescue crew checked the aircraft for signs of a fire. Brake energy was not a concern; and the fire department found no signs of fire or smoke. We elected to taxi to the gate; followed by the fire department; and deplane normally. However; we decided that in the event the warning had been caused by a cargo compartment fire; we would wait until all passengers had deplaned before having the cargo doors opened under the supervision of the fire department. When ground power was selected on; it failed and APU power was subsequently selected. Somewhere in that process; the master fire warning sounded; and the glareshield lights illuminated again very briefly (less than one second); with no lights in fire handles or on the cargo fire panel. The fire department found no indication of fire in the cargo compartment or engines/APU; and maintenance was unable to duplicate the indications prior to our departure in a new aircraft.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew rejected takeoff for a fire warning bell although no fire was in evidence once the aircraft stopped.

Narrative: The preflight; engine start; and taxi out were all normal. The takeoff was planned as flaps 15 bleeds off; max power takeoff. We were cleared for takeoff; the Captain pushed the power up; and all engine indications were normal. At approximately 70 KTS; the fire warning bell sounded; accompanied by the red; Fire Warning lights on the glareshield. The Captain immediately started closing the throttles and rejecting the takeoff. We guessed top speed to be just short of 80 KTS. The autobrake rejected takeoff function did not activate as our speed was so low. We cleared the runway and evaluated the cause of the warning. I can't remember now if we canceled the fire warning; or if it silenced itself; but we had no lights in any fire handle; or cargo compartment panel. We quickly tested all fire warning systems; and they tested normal; with no latent warning. CFR was called to evaluate the aircraft while the Captain made a quick PA. With the absence of a fire indication; we evaluated brake energy while the Fire and Rescue Crew checked the aircraft for signs of a fire. Brake energy was not a concern; and the Fire Department found no signs of fire or smoke. We elected to taxi to the gate; followed by the Fire Department; and deplane normally. However; we decided that in the event the warning had been caused by a cargo compartment fire; we would wait until all passengers had deplaned before having the cargo doors opened under the supervision of the Fire Department. When ground power was selected on; it failed and APU power was subsequently selected. Somewhere in that process; the master fire warning sounded; and the glareshield lights illuminated again very briefly (less than one second); with no lights in fire handles or on the cargo fire panel. The Fire Department found no indication of fire in the cargo compartment or engines/APU; and Maintenance was unable to duplicate the indications prior to our departure in a new aircraft.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.