Debra Westerman wrote
 
> Dr. William Kelso, Virginia archaeologist , did an extensive study a
> few years back on these type chimneys.  He, with his students,
> reproduced the chimney and burned it down to see how it affected the
> structure and to see how it would fall.  At the moment I cannot find
> my publication  on this, but I know it is out there somewhere.  Maybe
> someone else recalls what the publication was?
>
 
I don't know the publication, but you can see it in living color if you can
locate a copy of the PBS/Discovery Channel or something like that
documentary "Digging for Slaves"