Police and emergency services were called to Cathcart Street, Fairfield, about 11pm after reports that a man had been shot.

Macquarie Radio reported the man was believed to have been shot after he stuck his head out the door of his home to see what was happening outside.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, was taken to Liverpool Hospital with serious injuries, but died later, a police spokeswoman said.

A neighbour on Cathcart Street said she heard three gunshots about 10.30pm.

She said her neighbours, whom she described as men in their 20s of Asian descent, had just moved into the three-bedroom fibro house.

"I didn't know them ... they kept to themselves," she said.

Police said they wanted to talk to two men of Pacific Islander appearance aged in their 30s, who they believe were on Cathcart Street at the time of the shooting.

One of the men was described as being of large build and about 180 centimetres tall.

He had an olive complexion and was wearing dark-coloured clothes including cargo pants, Detective Inspector Gary Bailey of Fairfield police told AAP.

The other man was described as being of Pacific Islander appearance, and was of thin build and about 185 centimetres tall.

A Herald photographer said police had cordoned off Cathcart Street between Sackville Street and Railway Parade.

There were a few cars in the front yard of the house where the shooting took place, and police forensic teams were taping off some of the grassy areas, he said.

Cathcart Street was very quiet and consisted of homes with manicured lawns and well-kept yards, he said.

It appeared to be a community of mostly elderly people, some of whom were coming out of their homes in their pyjamas. They were asking police what happened and appeared to be shocked, he said.

A police spokeswoman could not say what caused the shooting, except that the circumstances leading up to it were still under investigation.

Fairfield police urged anyone with information about the shooting or knowledge about the identity of two suspects to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

- with AAP