Among all textile fibres, cotton is the one most commonly used in domestic applications. The permanent fire proofing of natural origin textiles, e.g. cotton is still challenging because only a surface treatment can be applied. However, it is also one of the most flammable materials (limiting oxygen index 18.4%). Thus, the primary importance for public safety is to find ways to render this material less flammable in a most economically and environmentally friendly manner. This paper provides a brief review of the present situation in the area of cellulosic materials flame retardancy with a brief explanation of the mechanism of thermal degradation of cellulose.