Opening up a fireplace - can I remove these bricks?

[j9e]

No not yet - too scared to do so!

I have been trying to get a chimney sweep to come and see if it can still be used because I would like to use it. If not then just make it a feature but at the moment its just a mess.

Why are all the extra bricks under the arch if they are not needed?

 

[George_engineer]

No not yet - too scared to do so!

I have been trying to get a chimney sweep to come and see if it can still be used because I would like to use it. If not then just make it a feature but at the moment its just a mess.

Why are all the extra bricks under the arch if they are not needed?

The openings were originally made for hearth cookers (or at least to have the option). But to have an open fire in a large opening is a recipe for smoke and inefficiency, so the majority get bricked up to form a small fire and the gather. But those bricks are non-structural infill

 

[j9e]

Thank you for the response and the information - this house was built after the war. Does the same apply?