New guy, gas valve In firebox?

[CaptainWacky]

Greetings from the Midwest!

New to forum, and looking for some guidance/advice. I have a wood fireplace in my basement I’d like to burn wood in (go figure). It’s a full brick fireplace with a flue and brick chimney all the way up to the roof, however there is a gas valve located inside the fire box (see photo arrow 1) with a key that says “blue flame log lighter” however pipe runs to a log rack containing ceramic logs, so my assumption is this was being used as a gas fireplace at some point?

I assume it was originally wood burning, with a gas log lighter, but this gas insert they put in here to me doesn’t seem safe or to code. My question is, to burn wood can I simply cap gas line in the firebox and start burning wood? And if so is it safe to cap the line at arrow #2 or arrow #3? Frankly the fitting closest to the valve looks so crusty, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to break it loose. Might seem like a newbie question just want to be safe. Is it safe to have a wood fire that close to gas valve? Would you guys recommend reinstalling a log lighter? Honestly the whole idea of using a gas log lighter seems dangerous to me, have gas that close to glowing coals, but I could just be paranoid.

I really appreciate any feedback anyone has, thank you!

 

[DAKSY]

It looks to me that the log lighter was modified to burn a gas log set, not an insert.
If it was MY home, I would locate the source of the gas to this particular line,
& shut it off or cap it at THAT point. Then I'd remove as much of the gas line in the firebox
as possible. Patch all holes with refractory cement & THEN start to burn wood...
Depending on how tall the house is, a wood burning fireplace in the basement may be
a problem with smoke blow back due to a bad draft, but you won't know til you try it.

 

[bholler]

That looks like a zero clearance fireplace that has been messed with quite a bit by people that didnt know what they were doing. I would have the whole thing inspected by a pro before doing anything.