I'm not stating an opinion on this either way, but would it be possible to fake such a picture by setting a fire and then taking a picture so that there is some lens flare that appears to point directly at the fire?

The reason I ask is because the beam seems to peter out as it gets closer to the fire. Energy beams are constant afaik (like a laser).

Just food for thought.

Edit: The fact that the Sun is directly in line with the beam and that the beam doesn't appear to be pointing at the source of the fire makes it more suspect to me the more I look at it, so I guess I am stating an opinion now - looks fake to me.

I'm not stating an opinion on this either way, but would it be possible to fake such a picture by setting a fire and then taking a picture so that there is some lens flare that appears to point directly at the fire?

The reason I ask is because the beam seems to peter out as it gets closer to the fire. Energy beams are constant afaik (like a laser).

Just food for thought.

Edit: The fact that the Sun is directly in line with the beam and that the beam doesn't appear to be pointing at the source of the fire makes more suspect to me the more I look at it, so I guess I am stating an opinion now - looks fake to me.