Yeah that's the problem. I've had a bent usb c (from a pretty good brand) literally melt into my hands. I'm so glad I was using the phone at the time, I don't know what could've happened if I wasn't there. The dent seemed pretty "small" too, and it was way less damaged than a lot of lightning/micro USB cables I've seen and used in the past.

What I don't understand is how the cable doesn't have a way to detect a short circuit. I'd imagine that a 250 watts capable cable would have more safety features hopefully though.

I don't think the non-USB-c cables have any more safety features to prevent that. I'd be surprised if the USB-C ones do.

The original USB standard was 5V 0.5A, which wasn't going to start any fires.

Oh, I realize that I left out important context. I didn't mean relative to other USB cables, but rather relative to other non-standard laptop power cables. This goal is to replace those high power cables, and those did not have significant safeties against damaged wire.