Having a Gas Insert put in my existing fireplace and I need to run an electric feed into the firebox. I plan on drilling a hole through the block in the basement below the fireplace and running bx cable up through the ash dump to a metal box with an outlet in it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks I'm in Mass.

We cannot give advice without having specific questions.

I assume all the ash will be gone, and there will never be any ash there in the future?

I hesitate to give approval of your method of entering the fire place.

Some photos would be helpful.

The insert goes in the existing fireplace and is vented with new stainless steel intake and outlet vents that are run up the flue by a licensed installer(plumber). They install the gas lines the same way, through the ash dump in the bottom of the firebox. Chimney and fireplace will not be used as wood fireplace any longer. Not looking for a shortcut, just the right way to get the electricity into the firebox. Thanks

Ok since the other trades are using this opening should be fine for electrical.

Thanks, guess I didn't explain it too well, appreciate your fast response.