Chimney breast....

[GazSuttonUK]

Hope you can help me, Ive removed an old gas fire and Tiled(glazed) fire place that was probably fitted in the 50/60s?
I am left with this as in the photos...its looks like someone has thrown odd bits of brick and mortar into the fireplace opening...…
Can I remove all these bricks up to the red arrows without supporting chimney?
Cheers for any help....

 

[GazSuttonUK]

Photo 2..

 

[GazSuttonUK]

Photo 3..

 

[bobasd]

nock off the plaster for about 300mm-400mm above the top,you might find a brick arch.
whats the final plan for the opening?

 

[GazSuttonUK]

Cheers....we are thinking of having a Gas 'Wood burning stove' fitted...so chimney will have to be 'lined' too...

 

[bobasd]

the opening has to be to stove mfr's dimensions.so sort your stove out an read the install instructions before any work.
all the infill stuff can come out after youve sorted the arch or lintel.

 

[GazSuttonUK]

Just knocked the plaster off to a height of 5 foot from the floor....and cant see anything apart from normal rows of bricks

 

[securespark]

You could fit a catnic above to give the correct support to the brickwork, then a decorative oak beam below it.

But make sure the oak is the correct distance away from the woodburner.

The galv cable capping was probably for an electric clock feed.

 

[Bonni]

Real fires heat the stack and thus radiate heat for a few days. The room quickly goes cold once a woodburner goes out.

I would remove the bricks you highlighted, the chimney won't collapse.

 

[GazSuttonUK]

Cheers Bonni...I'll give it a go..

 

[bobasd]

the original brick arch was taken out when the opening was made smaller - probly because the whoever couldnt infill below the arch curve.

thers a metal lintel holdin up some bricks but when youve got your correct height then insert a concrete lintel and only then remove the metal lintel an infill below.
probly safe to remove now but why chance it before fittin a conc lintel?