But the unusual sight had at least one couple believing they may well have witnessed a UFO.
Jon Percer, of Welland, spotted the strange object at around 8.45pm on Sunday, July 1 and alerted his wife Mary.
"It wasn't going very fast and the vapour trail didn't get any longer."
Mr and Mrs Percer watched the object for several minutes before it disappeared over the hills.
West Mercia police said that they had received no reports in connection with the incident.
A spokesman for the Royal Air Force said that there were no operational air bases nearby and the Civil Aviation Authority refused to comment.
Worcester weatherman Paul Damari said that the most likely explanation was that in the high atmosphere, sunlight had reflected from the underside of a plane, causing the flame-like appearance.
Couple Report Flaming UFO Over Malvern Hills, England
[Original headline: Was it a trick of nature? ]
A mass of yellow and orange flame, emitting a shower of sparks and a trail of strange vapour seen over the Malvern Hills, has been dismissed as a trick of nature.
Redditch Advertiser via Worcester Evening News, Redditch / England - July 7 2001
