Crazy electrical problem

[93turbokid]

02 f250 w/5.4 106k miles. Got home after a 30 min trip, killed truck, lights stayed on (auto light switch). Noticed that the headlights stayed on longer than usual. So I went and turned the headlight switch to off, headlights stayed on. All other lights went off, but not headlights. Then got to smelling plastic burning. Unhooked batt. and took fuse panel out. Had smoke coming from one of the connectors, unplugged it, re-hooked the batt, and then noticed the fuse panel itself (pin connectors on back) smoking and Headlights came back on. What does that sound like?? Is it the fuse panel? Could there be something shorting in the ciurcit board? I left the batt disconnected and the plug that was melted un hooked. It got too dark and started raining so I couldn't diagnose any more. Is this a common problem? This is my first SD and other than this it has been trouble free.

[akrewat]

Not a "known issue" that I've ever heard of on the Superduty.

If the fuse panel itself is shorting out, that's weird. Nothing would do that, it would blow a fuse first.

Check all the fuses in the fuse panel, and more importantly, under the hood in the power distribution box near the master cylinder.

Sounds like someone changed out a fuse with a higher amperage and it's not blowing, and instead if heating up everything else.

The headlights thing, seriously sounds like something is shorted out, might be the GEM is getting wet. Check for water on the passenger side floor.

Did you buy this truck just recently?