Victorian fireplace - Safe to remove old blocked up bricks?

[georgia123189]

Hi all

I've moved into a victorian property and have discovered this old fireplace has been blocked off. I've bought a cast iron the same size and so want to fit it, but my question is. Is it safe to remove the blocked up bricks? Should there be a lintel there or is the arched brick enough?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Should there be a lintel there or is the arched brick enough?

The arch, should be all that is needed to provide all the support needed, if it is solid.

 

[Koolpc]

Strange that it is not central in the wall. It cant be original?

 

[Charlie George]

Strange that it is not central in the wall. It cant be original?

Could be a flue from downstairs on the left?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Strange that it is not central in the wall. It cant be original?

Probably, the stack serves more than one fire/floor. Bet it's a first floor fireplace, and the fireplace on the floor below is central in the stack.

 

[georgia123189]

Yep it's second floor, there is a fireplace below it and then the above room I think there would be another fire place (3 stories)

 

[georgia123189]

There are marks on the floor where the tiles have been removed and also it is the same size to fit the original fireplace I've bought.