Some people have distant childhood memories, or perhaps more recent
personal experience, of an open fireplace which was notoriously
difficult to light. A modern wood burning stove is in fact very easy and
quick to get going, and the best materials are freely available:
balled-up sheets of yesterday’s newspaper, pieces of cardboard, and a
few handfuls of dry kindling wood. One match should be all that is
needed, and within a couple of minutes the fire is roaring away and
small logs can be added.