I would have thought so, but I think it depends on how thin the skin of the pipe is. I would also have expected a breaker to trip under that much load. But, based on that happening, I’d not be surprised if there are bypasses and/or broken breakers.

When we moved into the house we’re in now, the RCD (GFCI) didn’t work at all. I pressed test, nothing. Had the electrician over to change it. He tested the actual actuation using earth leakage. Nothing. So, faults can happen too.

I want to be wrong, though. Because that’s a pretty bad state to get into, I think.