User blog comment:Omega natsu2/Episode 196: Sin and Sacrifice, Review./@comment-71.53.243.199-20140823175016/@comment-7418318-20140825212722

A beam of flame isn't much different than a flame-thrower, so I don't see anything wrong with them using their magic in this way.

Natsu also releases a stream of fire with his Roar for example, just that he let's it billow out to the sides rather than contracting it into a tight corridor... except this one time in the Fairy Tail X Rave OVA.