London, Oct 9 : British royal Princess Anne had a bit of a scare when the helicopter she was travelling in was at the centre of a fire alert just moments before it was due to take off.

The Princess Royal was on board the helicopter when it developed an electrical fault.

Princess Anne was about to leave Denbigh High School in North Wales where she was using the grounds to board the aircraft.

A spokesman for the North Wales Fire and Rescue said that a fire had broken out, and that it had been brought under control by the department.

“North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to deal with reports of a helicopter on fire in the grounds of Denbigh High School at 1440 on Monday, October 8,” The Sun quoted the spokesman, as saying.

“Passengers were aboard the helicopter when the fire broke out.

“Passengers were evacuated from the aircraft, and the pilot used a carbon dioxide extinguisher to tackle the fire.

“On arrival, crews checked the helicopter to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

“The fire appears to have been started by an electrical fault in the starter motor.”

However, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said that there had been no fire.

“We have spoken to the pilot and as far as we are concerned there was no fire,” he said.

“The princess and members of her party were on board and they continued their official engagement by car."

The princess continued her visit by car. (ANI)