"Rick-Meister" wrote in message
...
What you want is called a soldering blanket or a flame arrester. It
has two brass grommet in it so you tack it in place in front of the
wood. In the old days it was made out of asbestos. Today it's made out
of the kind of stuff they use on the space shuttle. You'll find it at
Home Depot near the solder in the plumbing department. Cost is about
$15.

I've done soldering in even tighter spots. But then, I have a few of
those blankets.

That is the way. The electric wires are easily subject to damage, protect
them with the soldering blanket backed by some sheet metal. Do not to let
the hot metal touch the wires. The gas lines should be OK, the utility
actually welds taps onto live steel lines, if there is no oxygen the gas
cannot burn. Wet the wood and keep it wet, keep water on hand and an
extinguisher. Prefab as much as possible so that the soldering is minimized
and only at easily accessible and protected locations.