Emergency services respond to reports of smoke at Parliament House

The Emergency Services Agency reported there was a "structure fire" in the West Valve Room at 9.39am on Thursday, January 22.

Four fire trucks were on the scene and staff working on the Senate side of the building were moved away from the smoke.

An ESA spokesperson said emergency services were called at 9.40am after smoke was observed in "an isolated area of Parliament House."

"Upon investigation, firefighters believe the cause of the smoke may be an electrical fault," the spokesperson said.

"A part of Parliament House has been evacuated while that incident is being investigated."

There was "no report of any active flame" and no one had been injured.

It is believed that the fault was located on the ground floor of the building, in the communications room near the Senate entrance.

Some building occupants took to the building's courtyards, while others moved to the House of Representatives side.

Canberra Times staff said people were asked to move to the other side of the building at about 10.20am.

"We've been told to stay in our office and leave soon," one journalist said.

She reported that there were fire trucks outside the building.

Staff were allowed to return to their desks about 20 minutes later.