Crossword Genius

Sack lay in hearth (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fireplace

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'hearth' is the definition.
(I know that hearth can be written as fireplace)

'sack lay' is the wordplay.
'sack' becomes 'fire' (both can mean to dismiss from a job).
'lay' becomes 'place' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'fire'+'place'='FIREPLACE'

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for fireplace that I've seen before include "Domestic chimney opening" , "Hearth" , "Open space at the base of a chimney" , "warm domestic setting" , "Recess at the base of a chimney" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph and The Sun.
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