A thermoplastic composition comprising a poly(carbonate-arylate ester), wherein the poly(carbonate-arylate ester) is a poly(carbonate-monoaryl arylate ester), a poly(carbonate-monoaryl arylate ester) comprising siloxane units, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and an organophosphorus compound in an amount effective to provide 0.3 to 0.8 wt% of phosphorus, based on the total weight of the composition; wherein an article molded from the composition has a maximum average heat release (MAHRE) of less than or equal to 90 kW/m 2 determined according to ISO 5660-1 on a 3 mm thick plaque, and a smoke density after 4 minutes (Ds-4) of less than or equal to 300 determined according to ISO 5659-2 on a 3 mm thick plaque, wherein the poly(carbonate-monoaryl arylate ester) comprises repeating carbonate units of the formula wherein R a and R b are each independently are each independently C 1-12 alkyl, p and q are each independently integers of 0 to 4, and X a is a single bond, -O-, -S-, -S -, -S 2 -, -C -, or a C 1-18 organic group; and monoarylate ester units of the formula wherein R h is each independently a halogen or C 1-10 hydrocarbon group, and n is 0 to 4; and wherein the poly(carbonate-monoaryl arylate ester) further comprising siloxane groups comprises repeating carbonate units of the formula wherein R a and R b are each independently are each independently C 1-12 alkyl, p and q are each independently integers of 0 to 4, and X a is a single bond, -O-, -S-, -S -, -S 2 -, -C -, or a C 1-18 organic group; and arylate ester units of the formula wherein R h is each independently a halogen or C 1-10 hydrocarbon group, and n is 0 to 4; and siloxane units of the formula wherein each R is independently a C 1-13 monovalent hydrocarbon group, and E has an average value of 2 to 500; and wherein the organophosphorus compound is an aromatic organophosphorus compound having at least one organic aromatic group and at least one phosphorus-containing group. a maximum average heat release (MAHRE) of less than or equal to 90 kW/m 2 determined according to ISO 5660-1 on a 3 mm thick plaque, and a smoke density after 4 minutes (Ds-4) of less than or equal to 300 determined according to ISO 5659-2 on a 3 mm thick plaque, R a and R b are each independently are each independently C 1-12 alkyl, p and q are each independently integers of 0 to 4, and X a is a single bond, -O-, -S-, -S -, -S 2 -, -C -, or a C 1-18 organic group; and monoarylate ester units of the formula wherein R h is each independently a halogen or C 1-10 hydrocarbon group, and n is 0 to 4; and R h is each independently a halogen or C 1-10 hydrocarbon group, and n is 0 to 4; and R a and R b are each independently are each independently C 1-12 alkyl, p and q are each independently integers of 0 to 4, and X a is a single bond, -O-, -S-, -S -, -S 2 -, -C -, or a C 1-18 organic group; and arylate ester units of the formula wherein R h is each independently a halogen or C 1-10 hydrocarbon group, and n is 0 to 4; and siloxane units of the formula wherein each R is independently a C 1-13 monovalent hydrocarbon group, and E has an average value of 2 to 500; and wherein the organophosphorus compound is an aromatic organophosphorus compound having at least one organic aromatic group and at least one phosphorus-containing group. R h is each independently a halogen or C 1-10 hydrocarbon group, and n is 0 to 4; and each R is independently a C 1-13 monovalent hydrocarbon group, and E has an average value of 2 to 500; and wherein the organophosphorus compound is an aromatic organophosphorus compound having at least one organic aromatic group and at least one phosphorus-containing group.