Electric over element caugh on fire?

have ~11 year old ge electric oven of element of caught on fire evening. fire not due grease or other cooking debris possibly small piece of foil may have been resting against element. fire there sparks , intense bright light (like welding torch) - sparks coming element. first turned off over, 1 end of element (1 inch of incinerated) continued glow brightly , did not seem stop burning. next unplugged oven , caused element dim , go out.

questions:
1. might have caused fire? (the aluminum foil? has been there while no problems)
2. why did element seem continue burn after turning off oven?
3. replacement element solve problem, or might problem other parts of oven?
4. if it's element these easy replace - seems should be.
5. given situation should have expert review/diagnose in event there other issues?

many in advance input on -

we have ~11 year old ge electric oven of element of caught on fire evening. fire not due grease or other cooking debris possibly small piece of foil may have been resting against element. fire there sparks , intense bright light (like welding torch) - sparks...

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