MADISON, Wis. -- An apparent lightning strike sparked a fire in a Madison house on Tuesday morning, and a neighbor helped the homeowner to safety, according to the Madison Fire Department.

The lightning, which came as a thunderstorm passed through the area, struck a house in the 1800 block of Keyes Avenue at about 9 a.m.

Neighbors said they heard a boom and saw a flash of light and that car alarms were also sounding after the apparent strike, fire officials said.

Soon after, Alex Wagner, 24, and his mom saw smoke coming from their 91-year-old neighbor's attic, they said.

"It seemed to happen so fast. I decided to go next door and start ringing his doorbell because we knew he was home. He's retired," Wagner said.

After there was no response, Wagner said he broke down the front door and rushed up to find Adrian Stransky sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I proceeded upstairs and he was in his bed, sitting up, and he was really flustered, confused. And I said, 'Adrian, we have to get out of here. Your attic's on fire.' And I guess the main concern was to get him out," Wagner said.

Wagner helped his neighbor to safety and brought him over to his house until fire crews arrived.

Madison Fire Department public information officer Bernadette Galvez said the first firefighters at the scene arrived to find smoke coming from the roof area. Galvez said firefighters found a fire burning in the attic and they cut a hole in the roof in order for the smoke and hot gases to escape. She said the fire was quickly extinguished.

Galvez said Wagner's actions made all the difference.

"Alex saved Mr. Stransky's life and also the house could have been a total loss," Galvez said.

Galvez said Wagner's quick actions helped confine the fire and prevented the home from being a total loss.

Officials said the homeowner wasn't injured but was taken to an area hospital for evaluation and was later released.

Fire officials said the home suffered fire and water damage in the attic area, smoke and water damage to the second floor and water damage to the first floor. Authorities said the total damage is estimated at $75,000.

Stransky is staying with family members for now, WISC-TV reported.