An Orange County man says firefighters intentionally and unnecessarily sprayed his $2,200 drone with their hoses as he was filming a fire.

The water damaged the drone substantially, says John Thompson, who was remotely piloting it above a house fire on Colden Hill Road in Montgomery.

Firefighters from the Coldenham and Montgomery departments responded to the fire. It is unclear who is responsible for spraying the drone or what charges could be filed if the act were deemed intentional.

Police say they're investigating actions made by Thompson.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler says that unlawfully surveilling someone with a drone is illegal, but it is generally OK to film public events.

Thompson says he wants those responsible for damaging his drone to pay for a replacement.

"They need to take on more responsibility and worry about their job instead of worrying about what's out there around them because there's cameras all over the world," says Thompson.

Officials from the Coldenham Fire Department have not commented on the issue.