May 18 (GMM) Former world champion Mika Hakkinen had to flee one of his homes on Saturday after it caught fire while he slept, according to reports.

The 39-year-old Finn, and two women - one believed to be his new girlfriend - escaped the blaze in southern France, but a dog reportedly perished.

They were taken to hospital as a precaution but later discharged without injury.

Two of the villa's three storeys were extensively damaged, and the fire is believed to have been traced to an electrical fault in a cabinet displaying the trophies of the former McLaren driver.

Hakkinen's $12m, ten-bedroom villa was located in the village of Callian, in the Provence region.