Abstract: Disclosed is an improved high velocity dual fuel burner and a method for firing a vertical shaft metal melting furnace with gaseous or liquid fuel in which the burner nozzle is adapted to mix and ignite both types of fuels alternately or in combination by means of three concentric nozzles including a central oil spraying nozzle, an intermediate nozzle to supply natural gas and an outermost nozzle to supply combustion air.