Interesting. 20 years ago I installed a new frige in my house and ran a GFCI to the new spot for it and plugged it in and it worked fine for the 4 years or so I lived there.
I believe "electrical fires" are not the problem GFCIs are aiming at, but rather "throw this tape deck in the tub when White Rabbit peaks."
With properly-wired GFCIs this whole dramatic betrayal could have been avoided.