Give consideration to an electric fireplace insert. It provides an illusion of flame with optional supplemental heat. Depending on your climate, burning a fireplace may make the space too warm. This provides the best of both.

Our basement was unfinished and friends with gas inserts were unable to use them often.

Thanks for your thoughts...we thought the same thing too, but they (Fire Dept) wouldn't let us leave it open since someone (new owners) could easily take out the insert and use the flue. They are real sticklers. Looking for an esthetic fix more than function.

Paint the concrete (?) black and put a standing fireplace screen in front of the opening. No one will be able to tell that it’s an illusion — unless they move the fire screen, of course. You could also place some fireplace tools on the hearth to further the deception. 😬

Patty z - I understand what the fire department is saying but there must be a way to “Red Tag” the flue behind an insert as a forewarning to future owners.

Perhaps speak with a reputable fireplace shoppe or HVAC professional. Someone has dealt with a similar issue before. Good luck.

@patty z, here are a few ideas!

Thank you to all who provided options for my fireplace. It seems that the idea GeorgiaPeach sent using the ends of stacked firewood could be the winner. I'll post back with the finished project.

My suggestion...paint the inside black, add a nice Fireplace Glass Door with gray glass and gate mesh behind the glass. The inside will disappear and the outside will look like a real fireplace. You can even have doors made with black glass that you cannot see through at all.

I’d add some antiqued mirror to it

Put the TV there and honestly when you go sell make sure this is in the contract and honestly what does the fire dept. say about what you have to do.