It swirled around off the nearby River Medway throughout the game, only to magically disappear as hard pressed referee Grant Hegley blew the final whistle on a lively game.
He produced his first card of the afternoon to Graham Branch as early as the 15th minute following a foul on Gills player-manager Andy Hessenthaler.
Paul Weller and West were both booked for complaining about Gillingham's first two goals, but Burnley's day got grimmer when Taylor touched heads with Gills skipper Paul Smith to be shown a straight red, eight minutes after West had gone for his second bookable offence.
Glen Little and Robbie Blake completed Burnley's poor afternoon with further yellows while Smith, Barry Ashby and Marlon King were all booked late on.
Gillingham went in front when Rod Wallace fired home his third goal in four games. However Taylor levelled for Burnley, turning neatly in the box to shoot home after good work by Blake.
Then Smith restored Gillingham's lead and added the third after one of the best moves of the game in first-half stoppage time.
King, playing his 100th game for the Gills netted the fourth, his first at home since being released from prison.
Then Mr Hegley penalised Gills defender Nyron Nosworthy for a foul in the box. Blake stepped up to score from the spot, only to have it ruled out for encroachment, but he made no mistake second time.
Burnley boss Ternent labelled Mr Hegley's performance as "shambolic" but admitted: "Result wise it was very disappointing. We gave two poor goals away but made a good fist of it even though we were down to nine men."Meanwhile, Hessenthaler, who limped off with a knee injury seven minutes before the break described the win as: "Our best home performance of the season.
"Full marks to Burnley for coming and playing football which helped us. Three wins on the bounce is good but I'm not getting carried away."Hessenthaler himself hopes to be fit for the trip to Millwall on Boxing Day.