The brick wall starts about 18" past the 6 ft doorwall. Everything is dusty from construction. This is SO 70's, a huge brick wall for one little fireplace. I received a nice electric insert for the fireplace for Christmas. I guess I insisted on it! I was so sick of looking at the brick and resenting that we could not have a fire in the fireplace because of my asthma. I cannot breathe any kind of smoke. A sealed and fully exhausted gas insert would have been fine, if I had $3000 to spend. Isn't that always the case? "If only I could afford it...."