Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Fireplace is boarded up--what should I expect to find?

I am thinking about buying an older house that has a beautiful bedford stone fireplace, but the fireplace has a piece of metal secured (concreted?) into the opening. The current owners didn't install the metal plate, and are claiming ignorance. I have no idea what might be behind it. Other than the plate, the fireplace has no obvious flaws. Do you think they would do that just to stop air flow (no one has lived in the house for a year) and save on utilities, or does the plate indicate a problem?

I know it's guesswork at this point, but that's fine. I am just soliciting opinions/guesses.

Thanks for any ideas.

You won't know what is behind the metal cover until it is removed. The fireplace may be in great shape and ready for you to use. But, I would not do so without an inspection by a chimney professional. Damper could be rusty and/or broken. Mortar could be deteriorating. There could be dead birds or other animals inside fireplace. There could be creosote buildup or blockage. Chimney may have suffered damage from a chimney fire or lightning strike.

http://doityourself.com/chimney/nfpachimneyinspect.htm

Thanks for responding, Twelvepole. I'm planning on having a home inspection--do you think that type of inspection would give me some answers?

I do home inspections and I would have a chimney expert (chimney sweep?) look at it in addition to having a normal inspection for everything else. Not too many home inspectors have enough background on this specialty if having a safe, functioning fireplace is real important.

Dick