State-of-the-art solar instrumentation is revealing magnetic activity of the Sun with unprecedented resolution. Observations with the 1.6m New Solar Telescope of the Big Bear Solar Observatory are making next steps in our understanding of the solar surface structure. Granular-scale magnetic flux emergence and the response of the solar atmosphere are among the key research. As part of a joint observing program with NASA's IRIS mission, the NST observed active region NOAA 11810 in photospheric and chromospheric wavelengths. Complimentary data are provided by SDO and Hinode space-based telescopes. The region displayed a group of solar pores, in the vicinity of which we detect a small-scale buoyant horizontal magnetic flux tube causing abnormal granulation and interacting with the pre-existing ambient field in upper atmospheric layers. Following the expansion of distorted granules at the emergence site, we observed a sudden appearance of an extended surge in the HeI data. IRIS catched ejection of a hot plasma jet associated with the HeI-surge. The SDO/HMI data reveal emerging magnetic looplike structures. Hinode/Ca II H and IRIS filtergrams detail the connectivities of the newly emerged magnetic field in the lower solar chromosphere. From these data we fid that the orientation of the emerging flux tube was almost perpendicular to the overlying ambient field. Nevertheless the interaction of emerging magnetic field lines with the pre-existing overlying field generates high-temperature emission regions and boosts the surge/jet production. The localized heating is detected before and after the first signs of the surge/jet ejection. We compare the results with previous observations and theoretical models, and propose a scenario for the activation of plasma jet/surges and confined heating. Such process may play a significant role in the mass and energy flow from the interior to the corona. ; Comment: 6 figures