Now this was just a quick go at using the stretched cones as sparks....I'd probably group about 10 or so in a fan shape, then replicate that to create shafts of sparks...you would vary the settings to get different hues of red/yellow and density of texture on the cones to make it look more real...if this image is faint that's because it was suppose to show how the colour fades....maybe not he best technique but you might find it helpful....