By Editorial Staff
(July 16, 2026) — The Higganum man facing charges connected to an explosion last September at a home on Staba Drive has had his case continued to September 9, 2026 at Middletown Superior Court. 53 year old Andrew Lirot was first taken into custody in December of 2025 and charged with Operation of a Drug Factory, a Class E Felony. He was released on bond of $25,000. An Assistant State’s Attorney tells Haddam Killingworth News that “additional discovery contained on a flash drive” was presented to Lirot at his court appearance on July 9, 2026. The continuance is meant to allow time for the item to be reviewed. Lirot is reportedly not represented by legal counsel.
The explosion occurred on September 7, 2025 at 6 Staba Drive in Higganum. Lirot was injured in the blast and, according to the arrest warrant, told investigators that the explosion had been caused by a gas grill. A subsequent investigation by Connecticut State Police and the Drug Enforcement Agency determined that chemicals such as Ammonium Nitrate and Pseudoephedrine as well as other items found at Lirot’s home were being used to make methamphetamine.
