Something the Brussels fire service would do well to consider after recently not exactly covering themselve in glory after a A320 diverted in there en route FRA with Cargo fire warning!

The fatal Swiss MD-11 off Halifax gives you all the answers you need. The records are replete with fires (anothers that comes to mind is a DC-9 in the US with a fire in the toilet that the crew got on the ground JUST in time - hull burnt out on ground, also recent FEDEX MD-11 inflight fire, safe landing and burnt out on ground). You made the only decision that could be made in the circumstances IMHO. :D

Thanks for your replies.

Would greatly appreciate any more feedback since we can all learn.

What is burning (eg, dangerous goods or someone's luggage) isn't relevant to your decision to get on the ground. You should never rush, even in a fire (especially in a fire)...but you should also not delay.

You're not going down to fight the fire, you're going somewhere to get stopped and egress. Knowing what you have in the way of hazardous cargo is important, but academic, and should have no bearing on your inflight decisions regarding a fire warning.

Right, we've established the right thing to do is get yer ass on the ground as soon ass possible without crashing due to haste. But....what to do once there? Bear in mind my comment that every evacuation results in broken bones, at least one serious injury and many minor ones (broken wrists and other bones). You have, say, a fire warning going, with no other indications of fire- no reports of hot floors, external smoke from the tower......what to do? I think sit on your hands for a moment, get reports from the cabin and ATC and fireman if poss, and hold your horses.

Whether to order an evacuation is indeed subjective, especially with a cargo fire.

I tend to agree with Rainboe and TopBunk and pause before evacuating. As rightly said it all depends on the feedback received and at which airport one is. Very good CRM and communication is needed.