What was the weather like in that area at the time? This probably isn't it but may help narrow things down a bit.
https://strangesounds.org/2014/02/alien-like-light-pillars-photographed-in-the-sky-over-peterborough-in-southern-ontario-february-25-2014.html
"What are light pillars (pillars of light)?
It’s neither an indication of the end of the world (which was actually last Saturday night) nor that of an alien invasion…
It’s just another amazing natural phenomenon created by the reflection of light from ice crystals with near horizontal parallel planar surfaces. Usually, these tiny crystals evaporate before approaching the ground, but if it’s really, really cold, than you get to see this weird visual phenomenon.
Amazing cold weather phenomenon: Photos of light pillars over Peterborough, Ontario – February 25 2014. Photo: Jay Callaghan
The light which is reflected by a light pillar is normally natural (i.e. moon light). In this Canadian case, however, the reflected lights were artificial turning this scene into a northern lights feel."