Abstract: A fire retardant composition and process for treating water absorbent material such as natural and synthetic fibers used in fabrics or paper or cardboard-like materials, which utilizes dibasic ammonium phosphate, dibasic ammonium sulfate, and ammonium biborate, mixed with water, that is applied to the fabric, allowed to soak in, and then dry to create the fire retardant characteristics. The composition and process is especially useful for items such as a terrycloth blanket, which itself can be used to smother fires as a safety device.