That’s certainly possible.
The photograph contains warm-colored objects and lighting nearby, so a reflection or light shining through a gap could potentially create an orange appearance.
But there’s an important rule with electricity:
If you aren’t certain that the glow is harmless, treat it as a potential electrical hazard until it has been checked.
A normal outlet shouldn’t be visibly emitting orange light.
Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
An outlet deserves prompt attention if you notice:
🔥 Heat: The receptacle feels unusually warm or hot.
⚡ Sparks: You see sparks when plugging something in or using the outlet.
👃 Burning smell: You notice an odor resembling burning plastic or electrical insulation.
🔊 Buzzing or crackling: The outlet makes unusual sounds.
🟤 Discoloration: The outlet or wall plate becomes brown, black, or melted.
💡 Flickering: Lights or connected devices repeatedly flicker.
🚨 Smoke: Any smoke coming from an outlet should be treated as an emergency.
If there is smoke, fire, or an immediate danger, leave the area and contact emergency services rather than attempting to repair the outlet yourself.
The Bottom Line
That orange glow may look unusual enough to make someone stop and take a picture—but an electrical outlet should not normally glow.
It could be nothing more than reflected light, but if the glow is actually coming from the receptacle or is accompanied by heat, discoloration, smell, buzzing, or sparks, it could indicate a serious electrical fault.
When electricity starts behaving strangely, it’s better to investigate safely than take a chance.
