A kindling fire is built in the mouth of the oven, and the fire is allowed to burn slowly to the back. The fire can be encouraged by raking the coals. If you reload, then you cut off the air supply to the first load. You have to wait for the first load to burn before adding wood. The front of the oven will be a little cool because of the air supply.
Coals are raked to the front as the last thing.
A damp mop is used to remove the ash from the hearth. Allan uses a wooden door plug cooled with a damp terrycloth. The bread is done when the towel starts to burn. There can be problems with doors that are too wide, ie. Preheat the oven the night before - it doesn't take much more wood.