Strange slab of stone

[happystrummer]

Just pulled up carpet which was put in by previous owners in our 18c cottage. This reveals half decent floorboards which we maybe could do something with. On closer inspection one is bizarrely a stone slab. Anyone come across this before. Any ideas why it's there.

Where a fireplace used to be?

Usually a stone slab denotes a hearth. Is it in the right place for that?

It doesn't seem to be aligned to where the chimney is or in line with our fire downstairs. Sorry forgot to say it's a bedroom but next door have fireplaces upstairs so can't rule it out..certainly a possibility

can you check in the loft above if the chimney breast has been removed below, and, more importantly, see what's holding up the rest of the chimney?

Actually I think it is aligned but no sign of fireplace. I think my house and all the neighbours were one house centuries ago so maybe it is an old remnant

It's a hearth stone. It won't be in line with the fireplace below it or the position of the chimney stack. It will have a separate flue which will join the main flue coming up from downstairs somewhere further up, if that makes sense?

Yes hearth stone. Not bizarre at all

Actually it is exactly in line with the chimney now I've looked properly. I have a higgledy piggledy house! Mystery solved thank-you 😀so much

On further investigation we've also now realised there is a fireplace behind the plasterboard! We've only lived here 7 years 😂

can you check in the loft above if the chimney breast has been removed below, and, more importantly, see what's holding up the rest of the chimney?

Did you check whether the chimney is properly supported?

Give the wall a tap. Does it sound hollow? There might be a fireplace behind it.

The loft is converted and chimney stack still there throughout the house.Funny enough have scaffolding up waiting for a roofer who checked recently as we need some flashing replaced round the chimney stack. No sign it's been removed looking at it
Roofer/builder said all looks fine bar flashing but will ask him to check again

Yes we just did and it appears there is...although central heating pipes have been boxed off in front of it. But I can feel some renovations coming on

You will need to seal the gaps between the floorboards if you don’t intend to cover them ( unless you are very fond of wood lice, silverfish and their predators).