The story about Lazarus and the Rich man is a parable talking about the religious leaders of Israel (the rich man) and the jewish people (Lazarus) with Gentiles referenced as ‘dogs’.
While parables have their basis in reality (hell is real and probably meets the parables physical discription minus the side for the righteous (because after Jesus death the righteous are in Heaven with him)) this is not to be taken literally on all levels.
http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/Lazarus-byHuie.htm
Don’t you think the response of Abraham is to be taken literally? That’s the informative part I was trying to share.