Help, old chimney breast opened

[T.J.B]

Hello. In my boredom I've opened up an old chimney breast in the lounge.

Where I was expecting to just find a blocked up hole I've found this.

1) Anyone know what it is?
2) Do I need to be worried that the white "sheets" to either side could be asbestos?

Thanks!

http://imgur.com/Q3T1DVP

[TheEnd]

I think it might be a back boiler.

[yellowtang]

Looks like a open fire back boiler.

Can't really judge what the white stuff is from that pic.

[T.J.B]

ah ok. Potentially having a woodburner installed so will let them deal with uninstalling it then!

I've attached a better image of the white. Its dampened down well now. Err on the side of caution or do you think it's not likely to be asbestos? I'm a bit fresh with anything like this!

http://imgur.com/g0u2bmv

[TheEnd]

Could just be some form of fireclay, but that could have been made with asbestos, so yes, don't disturb it for now.