Plastering near an open fire -fire hazard?

[iamaLeafontheWind]

I'm not sure if this is a daft question or not.

I have an open fire that i haven't used but don't want to put out of action altogether. It's in a stone cottage but has been surrounded by lovely 70s yellow brick (why would someone do that?!).

Can I plaster over the brick surround without causing a potential fire hazard in the future? I tried asking a couple of tradesman but they both tried to sell me a new fireplace and I can't afford that right now.

Ta for any advice.

It should be absolutely fine. Plaster doesn't have anything that is at all flammable in it - you do need to use heat-proof cement inside a fireplace but I think you mean just on the wall around the opening, right?

plaster is non-flammable (and is used in fire cabinets to give protection)

if it gets very hot it degrades and will crack or fall off. You can get heat-resistant cement wallboards to go close to iron stoves, or tiles might cope.

If it is no hotter than you can put your hand on, it should be OK.