Opening up chimney breast for log burner - low gather

[jdag]

Hello,

Trying to open up the chimney for a log burner but hit a problem. I’ve got this far and already hit the bottom of the gather only 80cm off the floor, this is where an old lintel currently sits.

Can I keep opening up upwards removing the gather at the side? My corner is nothing would support the bottom of the brick gather? I was hoping to sit a new lintel around 1.2m off the floor. Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[berty3000]

I had a wood burner installed last year in similar situation. They smashed out the old concrete lintel and put a new one in higher up, with wood covering. I think the opening of yours looks wider and the lintel might be thicker, so can't vouch for how well it would hold up when you remove the lintel. Not sure if this is of any use but hopefully food for thought.

 

[jdag]

Thanks for the info. Did you reach your gather/smoke chamber and remove this? Thanks