No water in tank-----electric element ON=======element burnt up so until replaced forget heating using electric
Propane turned on .....no water ....tank got hot
Suspect hot enough to trip HI Temp T-stat
IF you have a Suburban water heater..HI Temp T-stat has to be manually reset.
Outside compartment....above gas valve rubber cover with 'Push To Reset'
Left button....electric (don't bother---element is burnt out)
Right button....propane......push in hard to reset tripped t-stat
Course........
All posts with suggestions are just GUESSES because you have no real info on which brand/model/year...RV or water heater etc.
Water heater has water in tank?
open hot side on a faucet and water flows?
So just guesses.