There are many chemical reactions produce the result shown in the photograph the most obvious is a fuel air explosive either dropped by the Russians or accidentally detonated artillery such as the chemical works or propane / butane / natural gas storage facility.
During the Cold War the United States had several nuclear simulators which were basically high explosive with aluminum powder to increase the flash value of the explosion, we routinely detonated these in Europe but always informed the Soviets before doing so to prevent miss interpretation
I once dated a girl who could speak six different languages.