@sabafse,
we have an old house with multi fireplaces too. What I did was to install separate stainless liners in each of the flue areas that we planned on using. (The other fireplaces we had sealed up with a light asbestos cement so that we could open if we wanted.
You should have separate liners to avoid this very thing and to prevent chimney fires.
There are all levels of liner materials from SS to ceramic. Even though ceramic liner materials may be cheaper, it will cost more to install em cause you need a separate cleanout, wheras Stainless allows the chimney sweeps to get in right at the bottom of the flue.
Be careful if you use your fireplace as you describe. You oughta have a CO monitor in the lower room so nobody gets a dose of toxic fumes.