It sounds like a bright meteor or "bolide", maybe a piece of rock as big as a cricket ball or larger: the "puffed out" bit was probably as it exploded due to the heat of atmospheric entry.
These can be quite colourful, and often you will see green "fire" as they burn up. They can be bright enough to light up the whole sky, and quite spectacular if you are lucky enough to be looking the right way at the time!
Usually these would be 30-60km above the ground and travelling at anything upward of 50,000km/hour, and if it appeared to be near the horizon it was probably many 10's of km away. It is very unlikely you (or anyone else!) would be able to find its remains... ;(
All the best,
Dean
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