I was way out in nowhere land Eastern Washington, late at night coming home from a drive in movie about 50 miles from home. I was maybe half way... My GF saw it well, too. Summer of '68.
There was fire, and it went on for seconds. The altitude didn't look to be that great maybe 20,000 feet. The nearest military installation would have been Spokane 120 miles east. They were a B-52 base then. Whidbey Island Naval Station would have been about 250 miles west.
No crashes reported and nothing from the FAA.
Hit me up on discord might be able to bring insight to your sighting.
hidave#3221
I will. Today as a matter of fact. Soon as I finish wading through this particular swamp.
Matter of fact, I just did.
I got it and see you. Just responded