Abstract: A contrivance (30) simulates smoke and flames emanating from an intense burning simulated log stack fire (13). The visual effect is provided by unrestricted fluctuating light reflected off spaced apart sunburst formation bunches (41) of colored rotating metallic strips(9) of different length that transmit uneven flashes of colored light and shadow through a bronze tinted tempered glass diffusing screen(16)(39) simulating images of smoke and flames when viewed from the front, simultaneously the simulated log stack bed (13) adjacent the lower area of the screen(17)(40) is illuminated providing a glowing surface and a intense flickering flame effect is transmitted and viewed through the plurality of openings(14) in between the individual protruding angle backward log configuration of the log stack bed(13) creating the overall images of smoke and flames emanating from out of a real log stack burning fire with intense burning core simulating a natural roaring log fire.

Abstract: A method of improving an individual artificial concrete log widely used in gas fires, the new concrete log(1) having at least one decorative ceramic fiber pad (1a) or (2a) secured in the cut out(2) section, the pad (1a or 2a) is positioned to mate with the contour of the concrete log (1). The decorative pad (1a or 2a) is installed to provide a secondary air chamber(3) between the back of the decorative pad (1a or 2a) and inner surface of the cut out (2). When the log is placed on an existing gas fire some of the gas flames are directed up through the secondary air chamber(3) creating flames coming out of the body of the composite concrete log(1) at the same time gas flames impinge the front decorative surface(6) of the installed ceramic fiber pad (1a or 2a) producing a radiant surface (6) simulating a real burning log thereby improving the overall visual effect of most existing gas log fire.