How do i tear off the sides of my fireplace made of stone?

I want to leave the center fireplace there but remove the 6 ft. stone walls on both sides. This wall is in the center of my house and divides the living room from the kitchen. If i remove these two sides it will open up the area to have more of a great room affect. I dont know if it matters, but there is a fire place on the kitchen side as well but not a see through one. The stone does go from top to bottom and there is no seam on the livingroom side to cut away streight from the hearth. I am a DIY and funds are very limited. I was thinking I would propably need to shore them up on either side as well so i was thinking of going rustic and putting rough beams on either side to finish off the exposed area from the missing stone.

Public Comments

1. well you obviously have two flue's, I would call a masonry contractor, to come look, maby he can give you some tips!!!
2. Its probably a bearing wall meaning you will have to support it with beams at each gap. Just tear into it--if you want big tearing in use a sledge hammer--if you want to start small use a chisel and hammer. The interior if the fireplace will be different from the rock facing-dont mess with that part. Be bold and also 'Watch Fried Green Tomatoes' as your doing it.
3. You need to have someone look at it. It most likely is decoration and can be removed easily. You need to make sure it's not part of the construction.