The shorted heater can definitely cause on over heating condition bypassing the cycling thermostat to a ground connection.(it would only heat to the short contact point and it would only be 120VAC, instead of full 240) If it happens again try unplugging the door switch at the connection just under the top and see if that stops it. I don't see how a shorted heating element could still supply power through the motor to run. I'm guessing the door switch is sticking internally. To ease your concerns, disconnect connecting wires to the heating element, on the back of the dryer and check each heater terminal to the case of the element for continuity with a multimeter. http://applianceassistant.com/appliance-repair/electricity-and-testing/how-to-use-a-multimeter/ Hope that helps!

The shorted heater can definitely cause an over heating condition bypassing the cycling thermostat to a ground connection.  (It would only heat to the short contact point and it would only be 120VAC, instead of full 240) If it happens again try unplugging the door switch at the connection just under the top and see if that stops it. I don't see how a shorted heating element could still supply power through the motor to run. I'm guessing the door switch is sticking internally. To ease your concerns, disconnect connecting wires to the heating element, on the back of the dryer and check each heater terminal to the case of the element for continuity with a multimeter.