This is exactly why I like having “upside down” US plugs where the ground pin is on top. If there’s a ground pin in the plug, it prevents pennies and paperclips from falling onto the hot and neutral pins. Unfortunately, this isn’t as common because 1. Some contractors beleive it’s illegal, 2. Many wall wart adapters and lay flat plugs assume the receptacle goes ground pin down, and 3. It doesn’t look like a shocked face.
If your plug is not plugged in completely flush with the wall power point so a penny (or etc) can fit between the plug and powerpoint and yet the power can get through, then there is something very wrong.
It happens all the time across the country. Crusty metal debris and Light-pressure low-surface area contact can cause a hot burning short before tripping the breaker. The contact is also inconsistent as it melts and breaks contact, further delaying the breaker trip before it falls back down. There’s literally a tiktok challenge with plenty of burnt outlets, plugs, and pennies available for your viewing pleasure
