Gas starter for fireplace - need a plumber's opinion

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I'd like to install a gas starter - (NOT a gas burner with fake logs) - the ones I've seen in older houses just look like iron pipes with holes drilled in them. Can I just make one out of a pipe? What size holes should I drill? I'm concerned about the flame backing up into the pipe - is there a special valve I need to use to keep the house from exploding or will the gas pressure keep the flame under control? How far from the fireplace should the valve be?