KING

The calls about the light came in mostly from Pierce and Kitsap counties.

SEATTLE – Around 7:30 p.m. Monday, KING 5 News' phones started to ring as viewers reported seeing a ball of flames shooting across the skies of Western Washington.

The calls came in mostly from Pierce and Kitsap counties.

Michael Wittig and his wife were out barbecuing when they saw something streaking through the sky. They kept rolling as the fiery tail grew behind the mystery object.

"It was pretty bright, and it was pretty big, and at one point it looked like it was getting more intense. It was a faded orange, then it got quite a bit brighter as it turned the corner," he said.

People not only called KING, they called the Federal Aviation Administration. While it looked very strange, it is actually very common.

The FAA said the light was a high-altitude jet that was leaving a contrail behind it. The sun was at just the right angle before sunset to reflect off the jet and create the illusion of smoke and fire.