Electrical problem with washer?

A load of laundry was getting clean in my (very old) washing machine, I came downstairs to check on it and noticed a strange strong smell like something was burning but didn't see any smoke anywhere. I opened the washing machine and although it had shut itself off (as if it was done) it was not done. It was half-full of water and by the looks of the water, the clothes hadn't been rinced yet. Anyway, I unplugged the machine from the electrical outlet and plugged in a lamp instead to check if there was power in the outlet and sure enough there is. Meanwhile I went and checked the fuse box and the fuse on the hot water heater was blown. That heater is only six months old and the circuit for it had been re-wired six months ago. What could be the problem? I called the electrician and he'll be here in a few hours but in the meantime I'm concerned about that smell and anxious to hear some ideas of what the problem might be. Ideas please???