To light or not to light Old Fireplace, are they safe?

Calltocall

Hi Folks

Looking for a steer I’ll be living in a old house soon and it has a fireplace, workmen have been doing work on the house as part of this they cleaned out the chimney, they said they cleared out stacks of sut and fire is ready to go.

Please note the fire would have been last lit over 30 years ago approx, someome mentioned the risk of carbon monoxide posioning with these old fireplaces and said i should get pros out to look at chimney etc, now cash is tight at present and was going to light a fire with wood this weekend, do you think that would be safe considering what i mention above?

Thanks

gctest50

Wood will generate Carbon Monoxide

So, get a Carbon Monoxide alarm first ( you need it anyway )

The room the fireplace is in will need a nice feed of air ( or you get Monoxide )

DavyD_83

Go for it! and if feeling sensible get a carbon monoxide alarm

Doctors room ghost

You’ll be fine once the chimney is swept like you said and it has a good draw.if you had the money though you’d be better off with a stand out stove with the pipe in the back and have it out on the hearth.close the fireplace then with a blanker insert cut for the pipe.The Stanley Oisin is a great one.an open fire wouldn’t warm much and economy wise a stove would be 40 times more efficient.

DGOBS

I know of one chimney sweep who in this situation would always use a full pack of firelighters (one or two first, then add the whole box) on a chimney that hasn't been used in such a long time, to allow some heat into the stack. Once it burns down, then he would set a normal fire.

Not my area, but always seems a sensible idea.

Calltocall

Folks thank you all so much for the replies, picked up carbon monoxide alarm in woodies and will use the firelighters first before lighting full fire as stated in last posted, really appreciate your feedback