TOPIC: Flue liner exposed

Hi guys,

Saw this on an inspection this morning.  The wood burning fireplace has a ceramic liner, which is good, but that is all it had.  There was no masonry surrounding the liner. The liner was exposed from the basement ceiling, through a bathroom closet, up to the attic where it had some masonry around it.  This home was 50 years old and the liner looked the same.  How could this be installed like this and not burn the house down?  Am I missing something.  There were cracks in the liner and likely gaps in the mortar.  The seller was home and stated that he just opened the closet door and let it heat up the house when the fireplace is in use.  It's not my place to explain how to fix it, but what could be done to remedy the situation?  Thanks

Wow, that condition poses a fire danger and carbon monoxide hazard.  Masonry chimney walls should be constructed of solid masonry units or hollow masonry units grouted solid with not less than a 4 inch thickness.

Clay flue liner shall be laid in medium duty water insoluble refractory mortar and installed to maintain an air space or insulation not to exceed the thickness of the flue liner from the interior face of the chimney masonry walls.

Recommend correction as soon as possible by a Licensed Masonry Contractor specializing in chimney construction.