Abstract: There is disclosed, in one aspect, a dispensable flame-extinguishing composition comprising approximately 5 to approximately 20 percent by weight bromotrifluoromethane and approximately 95 to approximately 80 percent by weight bromochlorodifluoromethane and a residual air weight at 70.degree. F. which varies inversely to the degree of vacuum pulled under constant volume. For vessels ranging in size from 127 mls. to 325 mls. at a temperature of 70.degree. F. the amount and weight of residual air will vary from approximately 0.047 grams to 0.390 grams for a 22" Hg vacuum to no vacuum being pulled. The composition utilizes residual air to dispense the extinguishing agents in the temperature range of -40.degree. F. to room temperatures. In another aspect, there is disclosed a method for extinguishing fires. This method comprises applying to the fire the above-described composition. This composition is particularly useful in hand-held fire extinguishers.