open fire advice

[ashthorpe87]

Hi. First post on Here. We have had an open fire installed and got it going however the room filled with some smoke. The chimney is fine as we've had it checked. I'm wondering if the following is having an effect on the draft up the chimney......there is a space at both sides of the fire basket around 1ft by 6in. These are not visible from the front as the surround covers them...will this be affecting the draft and any suggestions for a remedy? I was thinking to fill these spaces with some suitable bricks?

Thanks
Ash

[welsh brickie]

place a brick under the basket to raise the basket higher.That should stop it.