One of the men killed in what police are calling a double homicide in Montreal's Saint-Henri neighbourhood has been identified as a well-known concert promoter.

Montreal police said an apartment was deliberately set on fire following a confrontation Friday, and both died as a result.

Police have not released the names of the victims, but a promotional company called Long Life Productions, which specializes in hip hop music, confirmed Matthew Dutch Garner, 29, had died.

"He opened the doors for the world to see Montreal," said a statement on the company's website. "His life was taken last night and left the city in a state of shock."

Police received several 911 calls Friday evening about a fight in an apartment building on Saint-Rémi Street near Notre-Dame Street. When they arrived, the apartment was on fire.

Saint-Remy and Notre Dame. (Google)

Police said one man was found dead inside with marks of violence on his body.

Another was found outside the building with severe burns. He was taken to hospital, where he later died.

Montreal police Const. Raphaël Bergeron said investigators are still trying to figure out a motive.

"Is it a drug deal that went wrong? Is that an execution that was planned? Still to be determined but we know that the two victims in that case were known to police and they were targeted," said Bergeron.

Police were looking for one or several suspects who fled the scene, and are asking any witnesses to the crime to come forward. The major crimes unit and the arson squad are investigating.

The deaths were the 32nd and 33rd homicides of the year on Montreal police territory.

With files from The Canadian Press