Is this a fireplace lintel?

[kev_joyce]

I have a concrete construction house and I am opening up the fireplace in my living room to put in a multifuel stove. I want to really open the fireplace up and was just wondering if I could take the concrete deflector and all the surrounding brickwork out.

Here is a link to a picture of the offending area.

http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/album_photo.html?c_photo=79459568

I don't really think its a lintel but would really like a second opinion, just in case!

Thanks for your help....

Kev

 

[Static]

Yes you can remove the brickwork, but not the concrete surround

 

[^woody^]

It looks like a throat lintel which forms the start of the flue. There should be another lintel further up which holds the brickwork above the opening

If the flue is formed with flue liners, then they may be all built off lintel and the rest of the fire back, so it may not be possible to remove them. But older hoses generally had no flue lining, and so they can be removed.

But check first