Hi - I was thinking of opening up this fireplace. The flue is a bit
suspect, but the cavity would be a nice feature.

I removed the plaster to have a look, and two things became apparent.
One was someone has laid the ringmain across the opening (annoying but
solvable)

The other is the reason for this post. The cavity has a lintel, as can
be seen through the old vent hole, and the cavity seems in quite good
nick. The width of the cavity is the same as the width of the new
bricked in section save for two little "tabs" half way down. If I were
to remove these tabs it would seem to leave some unsuported brickwork
- I've stopped for the mo and someone is having a look next week, but
does anyone here have any thoughts?

Photos are he

http://www.bbarker.co.uk/pages/albums/fireplace

You can see the ringmain, and above it the two "tabs" sticking out.
They are wider than the cavity behind, but if I were to remove the
infilling bricks it would seem to leave some unsupported original
brickwork...


Ben