Was there anything unusual when it happened (like a storm coming, a sudden change in barometric pressure, a new electronic equipment somewhere or anything really)?
They can hear sounds that are beyond human hearing, so any unusual sound can possibly alarm them. Same goes with smells.
Otherwise, if it happens again, a vet visit might indeed be in order, when they feel something is wrong, they usually always try to climb higher and higher (even when they can't), it's instinct.