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Burnt wires are usually the result of a loose connection. Eventually, the wire can get hot enough to burn off the insulation. When it gets to this point you hope the wire breaks causing a short (which will trip the breaker), or at least breaking the circuit so current can no longer flow.
Similarly, it is asked, can a ground wire cause a fire?
If a wire connection becomes loose, for example, or a rodent gnaws through a wire, the grounding system channels the stray current back to ground by this alternate pathway before it can cause a fire or shock.
Also asked, can a ground wire shock you?
No, touching the ground wire will not shock you unless it is not properly bonded AND there is a faulty piece of equipment attached to it. This! Remember that voltage is relative. The point of grounding is that every conductive surface shall be kept at the same potential via the ground wiring.
Electrical fires originate in electric wires, cables, circuit breakers, and within electrical components. Fires start in electrical panels from overloaded circuits or age of the panel. The panel and circuits become overloaded when the distribution of electricity is inadequate.