New house, fireplace question

[chriskthx]

I noticed the firebox interior wall is falling apart. It is a stone like material (mortar?) that is just falling apart. Behind it, however, appears to be an aluminum shielding. Is it safe to continue to have fires with this aluminum exposed, or should I call someone out to patch up my firebox?

 

[begreen]

This looks like a zero-clearance fireplace. It will need a replacement panel. You could do a temporary patch with furnace cement, but this should be fixed.

http://www.woodstoves-fireplaces.com/hargrove-fireplace-refractory/