[Spktyr]

That depends on what the lifting gas was in the balloon. If it was hydrogen, the missile could have ignited it.

[pfflier]

Hydrogen burns but it would not "explode" as it escapes from a balloon bag. It would be more of a "whoosh" sound. Also, a hydrogen flame would be almost invisible. What is visible in the Hindenberg film is the materials set on fire by the burning hydrogen.

It is possible that the balloon had a destruct package, don't know yet what happened.

A layperson's description of a maybe intercept and shootdown is all we have. I'll bet my lunch money that she has never seen anything like that in her lifetime.