Oh I just remembered - the cellar (being ventilated) was connected to small roundels in front of the hearths on the ground floor. You could open these roundel vents up to get a good strong draw on a freshly lit fire.
That was a good idea Frewen. I remember not only a gas poker (gas point near the fire on purpose), but drawing up the fire with a newspaper held across the front to draw air through the bottom of the gap. That was a 1950s built house, and a coal fire was still expected.
wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 15051 Location: East Midlands
Posted: Thu Dec 08, 16 8:35 am Post subject:
I remember my dad doing that. In fact, I've done it myself.
Oh I just remembered - the cellar (being ventilated) was connected to small roundels in front of the hearths on the ground floor. You could open these roundel vents up to get a good strong draw on a freshly lit fire.