Not all engines are shiny bright red contrivances with sirens - or bells.

A fire engine can be a double action pump made from wood and leather, moved on a cart and powered by humans.

The crew, working a see-saw type mechanism with two pistons could sent a lot of water some distance into a burning building directly into the places burning most fiercely. Presumably there were other men bringing water to keep the reservoir topped up.

I think there was an episode of 'Time Team' where they built one, and then were surprised at how well it worked.