Started opening up my fireplace - couple of issues

[mattyv33]

Started knocking out my fireplace, I thought I could knock it out bigger but I then realised I was into the cavity - so I stopped and will have to patch it up.

I have an external chimney.

I'm just wondering if I can just remove these 2 rows of bricks on the bottom? Looks like they are actually underneath the brickwork at the back though?

 

[23vc]

Just cut them with a bolster if the back half’s built into the wall

 

[mattyv33]

Cheers, that would work actually. Can you think of a reason why they are built like that? It had an open fire with a fireback which I smashed out.