Small half chimney in rear room

[Jono]

Hi, I’ve just bought a Victorian house in need of lots of work, and it’s all new so I’m on a steep learning curve!
In the back room we have this chimney flu but are very confused as it is small, and bottomed off with a single large bit of stone rather than running to the ground. Can anyone explain to me what it was and if it should go to the floor? Thanks in advance.

 

[stuart45]

What's above it, and does it go through the roof?

 

[Jono]

Hi, there is a room above with a filled in regular size fire place and chimney breast going up to chimney on roof. Presumably intermingles with the neighbours. I don’t know where to go from here, whether to get a surveyor or a mason in… and if it should have run to floor. Or just tidy it up and leave it as is… I can’t see anything like it searching online. Thanks for any ideas

 

[stuart45]

I'd want to find out what's supporting the upper fireplace. When chimney breasts are removed from lower floors, the brickwork above needs to be supported by steel work, gallows brackets, corbelling etc. The work is notifiable to Building Control, although there are loads of properties where people have just knocked them out and left the masonry above unsupported.

 

[Jono]

Yes. It is only protruding a bit (a single brick width) and the majority is on the party wall, but with the chimney above you’ve convinced me I’ll have to get a professional to look at it to be safe and sure. Thanks for your time taken to message.