The 86 meter long self-propelled barge Wantij caught fire while carrying coal on the Rhine River near Rees, Germany.  The fire started in the vessel’s engine room forcing the vessel to immediately drop anchor at a nearby loading bay. The crew alerted the local fire brigade which dispatched fireboats to the scene.  The water police slowed traffic while the fire fighters extinguished the blaze.  The container barge Salute pulled alongside the vessel to keep the Wantij in position.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.  The fire disabled the Wantij requiring it to be towed to Dusiburg for repairs.