Razceo

[difflock]

That fireplace was clearly wider and higher in  its origonal form, so there must be a lintol higher up, but regardless the brickwork will naturally arch or self-corbel, i,e, only the middle entirely unsupported bricks can fall away, and even then, they probably wont, unless already loose or there is a large point load almost directly above.

good luck,

mth

[sime42]

This is an amazing online resource, a wealth of information, and all for free! Everything you need to know about fitting a wood burner.
See this page for lintels;-

Fitting a fireplace lintel - The Stove Fitter's Warehouse

WWW.STOVEFITTERSWAREHOUSE.CO.UK

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There should always be a lintel or arch above your fireplace/builder’s opening (to support the building material above). Sometimes you discover that an errant builder forgot. You can often find this lintel or arch by shining a torch inside your builder’s opening (assuming you have an opening or have started excavating)