Laser Beam from Space?

Happy Independence Day! Have a look at these pictures of the Edison, New Jersey fireworks display on the 4th of July, 2012. Is what showed up in these pictures a laser beam from space? Is it a laser shot up to the sky from the ground? Is it a quantum energy trail? Is it a purple fireworks trail? Or is it just a digital artifact (anomaly) from my Olympus SP560UZ camera. These pictures were shot in burst mode, which is when the camera shoots a bunch of pictures in rapid-fire sequence. Myself, I'm going with the artifact theory. But you never know. Comment below and let me know what you think. If you click on each picture you will see the original sized version.

Here is the first captured occurrence of the beam. It is at the top center of the picture. Click to enlarge.

This is the frame right before the second occurrence. Click to enlarge.

This is the money shot. Click to enlarge.

This is the frame immediately following the previous shot. Interesting. Click to enlarge.