I vote for the top image. Put aside questions of file size. Just which looks better.

Slightly off topic? I had the opportunity once to walk up to a controlled, rather large natural gas fire. At closest approach, it was maybe 10 yards away, and filled much of my view.

That lasted less than two seconds, of course. Those things are hot. But the sight was unforgettable. Flames such as the one in the photo, when live and moving, are hypnotic and fascinating. “Towering Inferno” did its best to convey that. But the real thing is more impressive.