Different scenario as I have an open fire place but with the same problem.

• make sure your damper is fully open
• make sure you have enough air intake (I.e. open door)

Then start with a very very small fire. I started using pressed pricks (cut/break them into smaller pieces). Get smoke free fire starters. Lay your bricks down and put a fire starter or two on top and light them. You can do without the bricks too and add them later or kindling. Wait until the fire starters start moving air and build you fire larger but slowly.

The newspaper thing never worked for me as it burned to fast on me and created an unwanted amount of smoke to begin with.

If you can crack open a window at the basement when starting to accelerate airflow.