Opening up my 1930's fireplace

[Conaaa321]

Hello all,

Thanks in advance for your assistance

I'm hoping to open up my fireplace to the original size

As you can see in the photos, the mortar line to the left and right where it has been bricked up from
but I didn't immediately find a lintel above, or bricked arch or bricked soldiers to support the above weight

Could the support be from the stepping of the bricks, in the step pattern you can see as the new bricks meet the older bricks?

Or could the lintel have been removed?

Looking up from inside the hold doesn't reveal any clues of support so I'm doubting it's higher up
But what do I know aye!


Thanks again
- Conor

 

[denso13]

Or could the lintel have been removed?

Looks like it, simple job to fit one higher up.

 

[Koolpc]

Easy to put one in.