How to use "column" in a sentence

Several blocks to the north, an ugly column of smoke rose into the twilight sky from what was left of Tina's house, roiling, night-black, the upper reaches tinted around the edges by the last pinkish rays of the setting sun.

They were busy in the pit, and there was the sound of hammering and a column of smoke

A violent explosion shook the air, and a column of water, steam, mud and broken metal shot far up into the sky

This was the Thunder Child, the only one in sight, but far away to the right a column of smoke marked the position of other warships