I don't understand this:
Quote:
He said when a fire broke out in the locomotive sometime later, the local fire department arrived, extinguished the flames and shut off the engine, unknowingly disengaging the brakes.
Burkhardt said fire department called one of MM&A's local track employees, who went to the scene to investigate the incident.
"I doubt track man or dispatcher realized air brakes would release at that moment the air pressure not being maintained," he said. "Had people been aware it probably still would have been too late to do anything about."
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Don't air brakes fail engaged?!?
source:
Head of train company in Quebec derailment defends rail line's safety record - Montreal - CBC News