Officials said they will be conducting a controlled burn of the remaining train cars that derailed west of Edmonton over the weekend.

They said late Sunday evening that it would be the quickest way to get residents back in their homes.

However, a statement released Sunday afternoon said the evacuation order will continue for Parkland County residents who left their homes after a CN train derailed near Gainford.

The derailment happened around 1 a.m. Saturday, along Highway 16 and Range Road 61, near the hamlet, forcing about 100 residents to flee.

Shannon Jossy said they left so quickly medications and his pets were left behind.

“They hammered on our door,” he explained.

“They said that the train had derailed and there was an explosion.”

Jossy said he has three pet birds that were left in their cage.

“I fed them that night and put water in and stuff but I still worry about them.”

Officials said by Monday one of the cars that had been on fire had burnt out.

They added that they were waiting for two others to stop burning before they can get close to the scene.  

Jossy told CTV News that he trusted officials were doing the right thing by upholding the evacuation.

“I have confidence in them that they know what they are doing and they are going to get it straightened around as fast as they can.”

A reception centre located at Entwistle Community Hall will remain open for anyone who needs it.

Residents have also been advised to keep track of their expenses for things like lodging and food.

Highway 16 will also remain closed west of Range Road 50.

Traffic is being re-directed for the next couple of days.

In a written statement, CN defended their safety record, indicating they reduced main-track accidents by 69 per cent since 2005.

“Our accident rate in the third quarter of our financial year, which ended September 30, was one of the lowest in our history,” spokesperson Louis-Antoine Paquin claimed in the release.  

According to Paquin, the company plans to invest $2 billion in capital programs in 2013, which includes $1.1 billion for track infrastructure.

Anyone looking for more information or updates on the situation has been asked to call the public information line, 780-968-8400.

With files from Sarah Richter