Abstract: Fire fighting compositions are disclosed which are distinguished from the prior art by the presence of alum as a component of the composition, by the use of a combination of salts in concentrations which will form a eutectic mixture when heated, and by the inclusion of a salt of an organic acid which will generate carbon dioxide by the heat of a fire. Additional inorganic salts may be added to increase the effectiveness of the composition. These fire fighting compositions may be permeated into a cellulosic material to provide fire retardant articles of manufacture.