Playing with fire

[liv]

Does anyone round here know how to make (lay?) a fire? I have a fireplace, and I have a whim to use it. But I have never made a fire before and I'm a little nervous. Yes, I could google for instructions but I'd rather have something vetted by someone who has actually done it. It's the sort of thing I think I know how to do because I've read lots of descriptions in old books, but when it comes down to it I'm not that sure of the practical details. Any advice much appreciated (even if it's, don't even attempt it, you're too much of a klutz and disaster will be sure to ensue).

Comments

[darcydodo]

Do you know if you have a gas starter? I'm presuming not, in which case you want to go with all that newspapery advice up there. If you have, you don't need the newspaper.

But basically, you want two logs parallel to each other and to the front of the fireplace with some space between them, and a third log going across them diagonally. Then you twist up lots of newspaper and stuff it underneath and in all the little crevices, and then light it in a few different places along it.