Hell yes! Concrete lintels in chimneys. A nice oak beam in a large open fire is fine as it's usually far enough away from the heat source. A few fires in old houses I've been to have been partially due to joists being built into the chimney breast. As the masonry has worn away the beams have started to pyrolise and eventually catch. The beam itself won't catch fire. It will give off combustible fumes(smoke) which when at the right temperature and the right oxygen/fuel mix it will combust. It will probably smoulder inside the zinc so you won't notice until it one day takes hold
but I bought it as a fireplace set and have seen loads in houses.... here is exactly the same.... http://www.leboncoin.fr/ventes_immobilieres/574723146.htm?ca=20_s what can I do?
Mine’s like that; a 15cm square cheery wood lintel – it must be a French thing; just about every open fire I’ve seen here is the same.
mrs said to me, why did you buy it in the first place when you should have made one.... just added to my to do list....
A serious point LEF: I wouldn't use anything zinc (or galvanised) where there's serious heat. It can give off nasty fumes that'll make you ill.
