Removed Gas fire should wall have a lintle?

[Andy198587]

Hi, we've had a gas fire professionally removed, we are going to leave flue in with an air vent as wife thinks this will be something good to leave if we sell in the future. On looking at adding some insulation around it I've noticed the hole is just cut out of the cavity wall, there is no lintle supporting anything above. My question is should there be one? It's a new build house and the fire was in from the beginning. Thanks for any help. Second pic shows blocks under top part of the plasterboard.

 

[^woody^]

What's that metal thing across the top?

 

[Andy198587]

The flue pipe.

 

[^woody^]

 

[Andy198587]

Hi sorry woody that's the sawn section of the Thermalite cavity wall.

 

[mrrusty]

Hi sorry woody that's the sawn section of the Thermalite cavity wall.

in which case the nibs either side are the adjacent blocks, in which case the next course above closes the gap and is self-supporting. Nothing for a lintel to support.

 

[rougharsedbrickie]

You mean that cracked thermalite block ?