Opening up fireplace and add bioethanol burner All manner of questions and solutions to problems and issues surrounding the subject of brickwork, blockwork and stonework

[Andyearnshaw]

I’ve started renovations of our living room, and want to open up the fireplace to renovate and add in a bioethanol burner. I’ve started the work on a small fireplace. Having taken off the plaster it looks like a soldier course above the opening with no obvious lintel (though I’ve heard they can be quite high up, I’d rather not take off more plaster unless I need to.

My question is - can I remove the infill used to brick up the fireplace?

Thanks in advance

[stoneyboy]

Hi andyearnshaw
You could try but it looks very likely that the row of bricks just under the plaster line will collapse.
Regards S